Modified and translated by CFJA
6) The Relationship Between Eating and Sleeping
Eating to replenish nutrients and sleeping to restore energy are essential activities for a healthy life.
It’s important to get enough sleep, ideally around 7 hours and 30 minutes. When returning home late, it’s best to shorten the meal time as much as possible. Digesting food requires the strength of internal organs like the heart and liver. When lying down, heart function decreases, so staying upright after eating is necessary. If you feel sleepy, it’s best to go to bed without eating anything.
Eating a large meal late at night forces your body to continue digesting during sleep, leading to lighter, less restful sleep. It’s recommended to wait at least 30 minutes after eating before going to bed to maintain good sleep quality.
Meal habits that can disturb sleep include:
1. Eating after 10 p.m.
2. Overeating
3. Eating too quickly
4. Heavy alcohol consumption
5. Eating foods that require more time to digest (e.g., sashimi, especially squid or octopus)
Occasional late meals (3–4 times a month) may have minimal impact, but if it happens 3–4 times a week, it can lead to health issues. If done regularly, discomfort or health problems may arise in a few years. For those who recognize these patterns in themselves, lifestyle adjustments are recommended.
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